Our Team

Martin Trust

Founder & Chairman -Trust Family Industries & Samtex (USA)

Martin Trust founded Brandot International Ltd. in 2001 and is currently the Chairman of the company. Prior to the establishment of Brandot, Marty was President and Chief Executive Officer of Mast Industries, Inc. which he founded in 1970. As CEO, he developed Mast into one of the largest international apparel producers with annual sales of $1.5 billion and offices in 14 countries. In 1978, Mast was acquired by The Limited Stores, Inc., which later became known as Limited Brands. Today, Limited Brands is a major retailer of women's and men's clothing, with sales of approximately $9 billion. Marty served on the Limited Brand's Board of Directors from 1978 to 2003.

Marty has served in the capacity of cleared advisor to the United States Department of Commerce with regard to textile trade issues. He is a former Director of Virtusa Corporation, a software development company with offices in Sri Lanka, India, the United Kingdom and the United States. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Staples, Inc. from 1987 to 2009 and served as Lead Director for this major retailer of office products.

Marty is a specialist in the field of international and domestic trade, with a focus on the apparel and textile industries. In 1994, due to his long-standing and active involvement in Sri Lanka's textile and apparel industry, he was recognized by the Government of Sri Lanka, which awarded him the honorary title of "Ranjana" of Sri Lanka.

Marty received his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and has served as a member of its Board of Trustees since 1989. He obtained his Master's in Industrial Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management. He served on the Visiting Committee of this institution from 1989 to 2000 and currently serves on the Sloan School's North American Executive Board.

From 1959 to 1965, Marty held the post of Associate Professor at The Lowell Technological Institute, now part of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is a member of the Lank Center Visiting Committee at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Previously he was a member of the Visiting Committee for the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Massachusetts General Hospital; a Corporation Member of Partner's HealthCare System, Inc.; and a member of the Visiting Committee of The Carl J. Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He has also served in a number of positions with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Marty has lectured on such topics as quick response manufacturing, development of global production facilities and the economic impact of apparel quotas. He has spoken at several universities, including Columbia University Graduate School of Business, Auburn University, The Fisher School of Business at Ohio State University, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

Diane Trust

Director - Trust Family Industries
Co-Chair - Samtex (USA)

Dena Trust was the executive administrator of Mast Industries, Inc. until her retirement in 2001. She has served on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Manchester, New Hampshire. Dena has been a member and officer of the Board of Trustees and the President of the Sisterhood of the Temple Adath Yeshurun, New Hampshire. She was also a member of the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Dena is currently a member of the Board of Overseers of the New England Aquarium and a trustee of The Trust Family Foundation. She is a graduate of St. Mary's College and holds a Master's of Arts from Simmons College.

Laura Trust

President & Director- Trust Family Industries & Samtex (USA)

Laura began traveling to manufacturing plants with her father at the age of 7 and took her first job at the age of 14 at MAST Industries, Inc., the sourcing and manufacturing Company her parents founded in 1970. Laura continued to work at MAST in various capacities, and after a few years in New York City making documentary films for PBS and TNT, rejoined MAST. Laura's responsibilities at MAST included product development for Victoria's Secret Catalogue, developing third-party sourcing in Asia, finding Joint Venture partners worldwide, and ultimately heading the Limited Stores Division of MAST in Hong Kong.

In 1997, Laura left MAST to fulfill her own entrepreneurial aspirations, buying a small retail bakery business called Finagle a Bagel, with her husband Alan, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Over 10 years, Laura and Alan built Finagle to a 21 store-retail chain and in 2008 founded SJB Bagel Makers of Boston, Inc.- becoming the leading manufacturer of premium artisan bagels for supermarkets and club stores nationwide. Finagle a Bagel has been named one of the Commonwealth's Top Woman-Owned Businesses each year since 2004. Laura and Alan still run the daily operations of both SJB and Finagle.

In 2012, Laura took on the role of President of Samtex (USA) overseeing the Family’s domestic operations, and in 2014 became President of TFI, working with her family's apparel and component manufacturing businesses. Laura is also a Director of the Board of TFI’s International Holding Company as well as a member of the Board of its Joint Venture Companies.

Laura has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College, Columbia University, and MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

David Trust

Executive Vice President & Director - Trust Family Industries

David began his career at Mast Industries, Inc. - the sourcing and manufacturing company his parents founded in 1970 - at the age of 8 at its first location in Norwood, Massachusetts in 1972 where he was responsible for emptying waste cans and ashtrays on weekends. As a teenager during his high-school summer vacations, David continued to work at Mast in Woburn, Massachusetts in various departments including the pattern room, the chemical laboratory, and in accounts receivables.

After his undergraduate degree and a period in Los Angeles where he worked in the entertainment industry on films for CBS, NBC, HBO, Universal Pictures and the Walt Disney Company, David re-joined Mast in Milan, Italy where he was responsible for the first intimate-apparel and swimwear production for Abercrombie & Fitch. Until 2002 at Mast, David was the Marketing Director for Abercrombie & Fitch overseeing brand sourcing and development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Since 2003, David formed his own small company ATOMIC THOUGHT where he has experimented in urban real-estate development and in sustainable historic renovations. David was awarded a 2011 Green Award by Mayor Thomas M. Menino for his work in waste reduction and re-use in the City of Boston.

David continues to work in his family's apparel and component manufacturing businesses, Brandot International, Ltd. and Jacob Industries, Ltd. which his father founded after his retirement from Mast in 2000. David works as a strategic consultant for Brandot - a half-billion dollar worldwide operation - and is a Member of the Board of its International Holding Company and is a Director of several of its Joint Venture Companies.

David served on the Board of Trustees at The Boston School of Fashion Design, and currently sits on the Visiting Committee of Contemporary Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. In addition, David is a Trustee of The Trust Family Foundation which provides grants to charitable organizations throughout New England.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, and a Master of Arts degree from Middlebury College and L'Università degli Studi di Firenze. David lives in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts.

Alan Litchman

Executive Vice President & Director - Trust Family Industries

Alan Litchman was a Director of Real Estate for Staples, Inc. covering both coasts after graduating from the Sloan School of Management at MIT in 1996 with an MBA. He worked for Leggat McCall and New England Life prior to receiving a Master of Science degree from MIT in Real Estate Development in 1994. Alan graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1988 with a BBA.

Alan, with Laura, purchased Finagle a Bagel in 1998. Over a 10 year period, the chain grew to 21 stores several in buildings owned by the couple’s real estate company. In addition, Alan joined the Board of TFI as a Director and Executive Vice President helping to oversee the factories, family investments, and large real estate holdings overseas.

Alan spends volunteer time with organizations that require preservation of, or construction for, historic buildings. He is a tireless athlete in an effort to raise money and awareness for cancer and diabetes, riding in 2-day cross state bike race. When he had to veer off the course for a burger and shake in order to finish, he turned to running, completing the Boston Marathon in 1994. Alan also supports youth education through caddy and mentoring programs.

Shiham Ghouse

Senior Vice President of Finance - Trust Family Industries

Shiham Ghouse joined Brandot in 2012 as the Senior Vice President of Finance. Shiham is responsible for the Strategic Financial Management of Brandot International, Ltd., where he will lead the company in strategic domestic and international financial growth.

Shiham has over 16 years of professional accounting experience in the manufacturing and service industries. His expertise lies in strategic financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and strategic management accounting. Prior to joining Brandot, Shiham was the Financial Controller at Butterfield & Robinson, a luxury travel and tour retailer based in Toronto, Canada. In his role at Butterfield & Robinson he was responsible for financial control, analysis, planning, and reporting. During his tenure he spearheaded major financial system overhauls that included the revamping of crucial internal controls and the implementation of key corporate financial systems.

Shiham also served as the Director of Finance for Finagle a Bagel, a Boston-based manufacturer and quick serve restaurant chain. At the forefront of the Finance Department, Shiham shepherded the company through its expansion phase, where he lead a major reorganization of the finance department in support of the company's fast-tracked growth.

Shiham started his industry career as a Management Accountant for MAST Lanka, a sourcing arm and manufacturer of apparels for the Limited NY, where he specialized in management reporting and manufacturing costing systems. Shiham also worked at KPMG as a financial consultant.

Shiham received his Management Accountant's degree in the UK. He is a member of the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario Canada (CMA), The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of the UK (ACMA), and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Brian O'Malley

Senior Vice President of Business Development - Trust Family Industries

Brian O'Malley joined Brandot in 2012 as the Senior Vice President of Business Development. Brian is responsible for identifying sales and marketing opportunities for the joint venture companies of Brandot International. He will also focus on pinpointing areas where Brandot can continue to increase its value to their joint venture partners.

Brian brings 20 years of global experience to the Brandot team. His extensive experience in Sales and Marketing throughout Asia will prove essential to developing a breadth of industry partners and will serve to enhance the management staff.

Prior to joining Brandot, Brian was the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for MediGuide America. There, he was at the helm of the company's global sales and marketing efforts, and also drove business development for the company. Brian has additional experience as the Asia Sales Director for IMS Health. While based in Singapore, he was responsible for sales within fourteen countries.

Brian received his Economics and History degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and his MBA from Pepperdine University.

Jack Welch

Director - Trust Family Industries

Jack Welch has a thorough understanding of the apparel and textile industry stemming from his experience as President of Mast Industries (Far East) in Hong Kong and as Executive Vice President of Mast Industries Inc. At Mast Industries (Far East), he was responsible for the sourcing of products from across Asia and oversaw Mast's joint ventures in the region. At Mast Industries (US), he maintained the account for The Limited and ensured the supply of products to the retail chain.

Prior to joining Mast, Jack was the Executive Vice President, Operations at Warnaco Knitwear in Pennsylvania. He also held positions at Garland Corporation, Sperry Rand Corporation and Proctor and Gamble. Jack is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and has a Master's from Northeastern University. Jack currently serves as a Director at Carter's, the number one children's apparel brand in the United States.

Calvin Chan

Vice President of Finance - Trust Family Industries

Calvin L. Chan is Vice President, Finance of Brandot International, Ltd. He has numerous years of experience in managing corporate finance, organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and tax planning. Calvin specializes in managing international joint ventures. Prior to joining Brandot, he spent several years as Consultant and Vice President of Finance for a large retail chain and a New York-based designer and importer of women's apparel. Calvin has also served as the Regional Controller and International Controller for Mast Industries, Inc. at both its Hong Kong office and home office in the United States. He holds Master of Science degrees in finance from Brandeis University and in taxation from Bentley College.

Samtex USA

Delphine Skillins

Chief Operating Officer - Samtex (USA)

Del joined Samtex (USA) in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer. She is responsible for the oversight of the offices and works with the TFI Board determining and implementing the strategic and business goals and priorities for the family. Del’s specialties are in family office services, asset management, investment analysis, and finance.

From 2001 through 2014, Del ran a single family office located north of Boston, MA. She began her career there in 1986 as a Portfolio Accountant and spent the next several years holding a number of positions of increasing responsibility and decision making roles, advancing to Vice President in 2001. In serving three generations of one family, Del was responsible for oversight of the family’s assets including limited partnerships, trusts and a foundation.

Del graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Business Administration and earned an M.S. in Finance from Boston College.

Kim Duffy

Kim joined TFI in 2011, bringing with her many years’ experience in the corporate world. She is responsible for providing high-level support to the Chairman as well as to the President and the Directors. Kim is responsible for coordinating extensive travel arrangements domestic as well as internationally, schedule/calendar management for the Chairman and orchestration within the organization, preparations of correspondences, and coordination of board meetings. Previously, Kim served as Executive Assistant to the CEO/Chairman and founder of Boston Communications Group for over 23 years. Kim obtained a B.S. degree in Business Administration from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Zach Sufrin

Director of Finance – Samtex (USA)

Originally from Pittsburgh, Zach moved to the Boston area to attend Babson College where he graduated in 2015 with a B.S in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Upon graduation, Zach accepted a job offer with State Street Corporation to be a part of their Future Focus Program. Zach served on the pricing and fund accounting teams within State Street’s Global Services division for one and a half years before joining Samtex in November of 2016.

Jennifer Caruso

Accounting Associate – Samtex (USA)

Jennifer, joined the Samtex team in 2017, after having spent most of her career supporting small closely held family offices. Most recently, she had been managing a small research and development lab that supported several multi million dollar government projects. Jennifer obtained a degree in Accounting from Mass Bay Community College.